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The head of the EU Delegation to Moldova, Pirkka Tapiola, stressed the importance of adopting the draft law on transparency of media ownership in an interview for Media-azi.md. The diplomat considers that the citizens of Moldova should know the owners of media outlets, especially ahead of an elections year.
Pirkka Tapiola organized his first press conference after his appointment on Wednesday, 16 October. When asked by Media-azi.md, the head of the EU Delegation to Chisinau underlined that one of the problems that is faced by the media in Moldova and needs to be solved is ensuring the transparency of media ownership. “It is important that everyone know the owners of a newspaper or television and that there is no non-transparent influence on the editorial policy of outlets,” added the diplomat.
In this regard, Tapiola underlined the importance of adopting the draft law on the transparency of media ownership. “I know about the existence of such a draft law that could solve the situation and I certainly wish that such changes in legislation be adopted. The sooner, the better, as next year is the year of parliamentary elections. It is important that readers know who owns the newspaper or television that they read or watch,” said the head of the EU Delegation to Moldova.
At the same time, Tapiola gave an appreciation to the freedom of the press in Moldova. He believes that the press is quite free and continues developing: “I’d like to stress that the freedom of expression and pluralism exist in local mass media and that they are developing.”
With regard to editorial and financial independence, the diplomat mentioned that the owners of media outlets should change their attitude towards their companies. “It is natural for media entrepreneurs, those who have interests in the media, to play an important role. However, they should renounce the idea of influencing the editorial policy, and perceive mass media just as business. Let journalists do their work objectively. I believe that it would be the following step,” said Tapiola.
The draft law on the transparency of media ownership provides for modification of the Broadcasting Code by giving a clearer definition of the terms “owner” and “beneficial owner,” and also by offering greater responsibilities to the Broadcasting Coordinating Council in collecting information about owners of media outlets. The draft law is currently pending in the Parliament.
Since September 2013, the Finnish diplomat Pirkka Tapiola is the new head of the EU Delegation to Moldova, having replaced Dirk Schuebel in this position. Tapiola previously worked as senior advisor for development issues in Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the European External Action Service.
